orthostichy

[ awr-thos-ti-kee ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural or·thos·ti·chies.

1. a vertical rank or row.
2. an arrangement of members, as leaves, at different heights on an axis so that their median planes coincide.

orthostichy

/ ɔːˈθɒstɪkɪ /

noun

1. an imaginary vertical line that connects a row of leaves on a stem
2. an arrangement of leaves so connected

Derived Forms

• orˈthostichous, adjective

Other Words From

• or·thosti·chous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of orthostichy¹

1870–75; ortho- + Greek -stichia alignment, equivalent to stích ( os ) row ( stich ¹ ) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of orthostichy¹

C19: from ortho- + Greek stikhos line